Material handling device



G. J. YURcHlslN MATERIAL HANDLING DEVIC Nov. 11, 1,941.

" Filed'may 9, 1941 4 sheets-sheet 1 n kw www Filed May 9, 1941 4Sheets-Sheet 2 @AN WN ATTOriNEYS Nov. 11, y1941; G. J. YuRcl-uslN2,262,351

MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE I l Filed May 9, 1941 4 sheets-shet'5 y;ATTORNEYS u Sw WNN ww Pfl Q Mmwv Nov. l1, 1941- f G. J. YuRcHlslNMATERIAL HANDLING-DEVICE Y yFiled May 49, 1941l 4 Sheets-Sheet 4ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 11, 1941 f r UNITED STATES PATENT N OFFICE I'MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE I George J. Yurchisin, Wilkes-Barre, IPa.Application May 9, 1941, serian No. 392,770

1s claims.

My invention relates to the handling `and transportation of loosematerial suchIas coal,

rock or the like, and has among its objects, and advantages theprovision of an improved feeding mechanism for shaker conveyors Iwhereina reciprocating gathering shovel may be projected or retracted withrespect to the conveyor,

and may be swung laterally, to gather loosematerial as from a pile onthe ground. i IIn the accompanying drawings:

' Figure 1 is a top plan view of the invention; I

Figure 2 is a sectional View along the line 22 of Figure 1;

, Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 `of Figure 2;

`of `Figure 6; I

Figure 9 is a sectional View along the linef8-9 of Figure 6;

Figure `10 is a sectional `view along the line `III--III of Figure 6;

Figure 11 is a sectional view along the line IIL-II of Figure 6; I

Figure 12 is a detail view` of a latch device; Figure 13 is a plan viewof a supporting bed; and I Figure 14 is a sectional detail View of aconnection between a truck conveyor and the Imain conveyor section.I II

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of abed IIJ supported upon Ifront wheels I2 and rear wheels I4. Reinforcingchannels I6 extendalong the sides of `the bed, and the latter is benttransversely intermediate Iits ends so that its forward half I I 8 isdropped considerably below the `rearhalf 20, see Figf'?. The' frontwheels I2 are mounted loosely `on an axle 22Iextendingtransversely ofthe bed .III and rotatably supported in bearings 24 bolted ,at 26 tosupports 28 each welded to one of the channels I6 and a channel member38 welded to the forward ends of the channels I6, see Figs. 6, '7 and 8.I u i In Fig. 6, each wheel I2 is provided with a dog clutch part 32arranged to be respectively engaged by dog clutch parts 34 splined onthe (o1. 1915220) shaft z2 for relative movement 1ongitudina11y thereonbut keyed for rotation therewith. Each of the clutch parts 34 is`grooved at 36 for coaction with a fork 38 having a right-angular rod 48slidable in a` bore in one ofthe bearings V24. A bell crank 42 pivotedat 44 `to theIforward section I8 of the bed IDis pivotally connectedwith the inner end of each of the rods 40, and the bell cranks arepivotally connected at 46 with a link 48 pivotally-connected at 5I) witha I lever 52. The lever, 52 is pivotally mounted at 54 on thesection I8Aofthe bed IIJ and` extends through a slot 56 in one of the channels I6, `see Fig. 5. To the outer-end of the Ilever 52 is connected a link58: connected with the lower end of a lever 6I] which may be latched ineither its full line or oiT position of Fig; 5 or its dottedIline or onposition in the same view; `A quadrant 62 is provided for latching thelever in either of its two positions, and the quadrantmaybe Aprovidedwith two notches spaced to receive the lug on the lever in either of`its positions, with the leversufllciently flexible to permit bendingthereof to move the lug out of the slots.

`Movement of the lever `to the dotted line )position of Fig. 5 pivotsthe lever 52, see Fig. 6, in `thedirection of the arrow 64 which pivotsthe vbelljcranks 42 in the directions of the arrows 66 to move theclutch parts 34 into clutching engagement with the clutch parts 32, atwhich time the wheels I2 are keyed to the shaft 22.

Tothe shaft 22 is keyed two gears 68 meshing with racks 'I0 secured to aconveyor 'I2 extending longitudinally of the bed I0 and fashioned with agathering shovel 14 at its forward end. Conveyor 'I2 is depressed alongits central portion longitudinally thereof and rides on two rollers`16,` rotatably carredin bearings 'I8 secured to the bights ofchannel-like holsters 80, the forward one of which is weldedto the topflanges of the channels I6, see Fig. 9, and the rear one similarlyWelded to the channelsand resting on an axle 82 which carries the rearwheels I4, see Fig. 10. Both holsters are contoured to accommodate thedropped configuration of the i conveyor 12.

To the axle 82 -is secured a bar 84 reinforced by brace members 86,which bar may be oscillated about the axis of the king pin 88 forturning the axlev 88 with wheels I4. Fig.' 10 illus- `trates a bearing`plate 90 secured to the rear `bolster .80, and on the bearing platerests a plate .92 secured to the axle 82, with the king pin 88 passingthrough aligned openings in the bolster, the two bearing plates and theaxle.

In Fig. 6, a link 94 is pivotally connected with a pin 96 secured to theend of the bar 84 and extending through a slot 98 in the bed I0. One endof a bell crank is pivotally connected at |02 with the other end of thelink 94, and the bell crank is pivotally mounted at |04 on the bed |0.In Figs. 5 and 6, a lever |06 is pivotally connected with a link |08pivotally connected with the bell crank |00, and the lever is pivotallyconnected intermediate its ends to a housing ||0, there being one suchhousing at each of the two side margins of the bed |0. According to Fig.10, the lever |06 is provided with a bore for the reception of a latchpin ||2 which may be projected into a bore ||4 in the housing ||0 tolatch the lever against pivotal movement. Removal of the latch pinpermits the lever to be pivoted for turning the axle 82 and wheels |4for steering purposes. A chain ||6 connects the bolt ||2 with the lever|06 to prevent unintentional misplacement of the latch bolt. It willalso be noted that the quadrant 62 of Fig. 5 is secured to one of thehousings ||0 and that the lever 60 is pivoted at I|6 to the housing,while the lever |06 is pivotally connected at |20. Figs. 9 and 10respectively illustrate the manner in which the housings ||0 are securedto the front and rear bolsters 80. To the flanges |22, depending fromthe housings I0, are bolted brackets |24 which are also bolted to thebights of the bolsters.

Referring to Figs. 6 and '7, each of the housings ||0 encloses a rod |26slidable in a bore |21 in the end wall |28. Each rod has a head |30secured to its forward end, and a compression spring |32 has one endabutting the head and its other end abutting the end wall |28. Thetension of the spring |32 may be varied through adjustment of a nut |34threaded on the rod and accessible from a position exteriorlyof thehousing. Both housing units are identical in construction so that thedescription of one will apply to both.

Heads |30 are slidable in slots |36 in the front end walls |38 of thehousings. Bothrheads terminate in latch fingers |40 which are arrangedfor engagement with toothed rails |42 secured to the upper faces of thetwo side margins of the conveyor 12, as best illustrated in Figs. 8, 9and 10. 'Ihe end walls |28 and |38 are provided with grooves |44 toaccommodate the toothed lrails |42 to the end that the side margins ofthe conveyor 12 may be positioned closely to the housings ||'0. Theteeth ofthe toothed rails |42 `are inclined so that the latch fingers|40 vmay `have holding engagement with the .rail members in onedirection only. Thus the conveyor 12 may be adjusted to the left, aswhen viewing Fig. 7,

without interference from the latch lingers, but

the latch fingers are pressed down on the toothed rails for engagementwith the teeth thereof to hold the conveyor 12 against relative movementin the other direction unless the latch fingers are lifted clear of thetoothed rails.

In Fig. 9, a rod |46 is secured to each of lthe heads |30 and isprovided with a collar |48 at its upper end. On each rod is mountedacompression spring |50 interposed between the yhead |30 and a collar |52bored `for loosely receiving the rod. Each of the collars |52 isprovided with a shaft |54 for pivotal connection with the upper end of alink |56. Links |56 have their lower ends pivotally connected with arms|58 keyed to a shaft |60 rotatably journaled in the channels I6, and alever |62, see Fig. 5, is fixed to one end of the shaft. A quadrant |64is bolted to one of the housings ||0 for association with the lever |62,the quadrant being provided with notches |66 to selectively'receive apin |68 on the lever for latching it in either of its two extremepositions. The lever may be exed to bring the pin |68 clear of thenotches |66. Clockwise movement of the lever |62, when viewing Fig. 5,will elevate the links |56 to move the collars |52 into engagement withthe collars |48 and lift the heads |30 to move the latch ngers |40 outof engagement with the toothed rails |42. With the lever |62 in theposition of Fig. 5, the link |56 holds the collars |52 against upwardmovement so that the springs will exert pressure on the heads |30 andyieldingly hold the latch fingers |40 in engagement with the toothedrails |42.

Each of the housings l0 is provided with a slot |10 in its top wallthrough which the rods |46 and the springs |50 extend, see Fig. 4. Theseslots permit the rods and the springs to shift relatively to thehousings ||0, particularly to the right when viewing Fig. 7, as when theshovel 14 strikes an obstruction. Thus cushioning means are provided forthe conveyor in that the springs |32 may be compressed when the shovel14 strikes the abutment to dampen the impact.

To facilitate positive movement of the material rearwardly on theconveyor 12, the latter is provided with transverse angular formations|12 arranged on the lowest area of the conveyor. To the rear ends of thechannels I6 is secured a cross beam |14 to which the forward end of ashort truck conveyor section |80 is pivotally connected, as at |16. Thetruck conveyor is supported on wheels |82, and its rear end is bolted at|84 to the main conveyor |06, which main conveyor is given areciprocating or jigging action by a suitable power device operativelyconnected thereto in the usual manner. Movement is imparted to theconveyor 12 and the loading head in accordance with the movement of themain conveyor.

Fig. 1 illustrates the truck conveyor section |80 as having sidedeflector flanges |88 for guiding the material onto the main conveyor|86.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 14, blocks |92 are welded to the truck conveyorsection |80 and the main conveyor |86 through which the bolts |84 passfor xedly securing the two conveyors to each other.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, theoperation thereof will be readily understood. The bed |0 and the wheels|2 and I4, together with the housings ||0, constitute a carriage uponwhich the conveyor 12 is mounted. The carriage, as well as the conveyorsystem, is reciprocated in the direction of the arrows |98 of Fig. 5.Should it be necessary to advance the conveyor section 12, the lever ispivoted to the dotted line position of Fig. 5, at which time the clutchparts 34 splined on the Vshaft 22 are moved into engagement withtheclutch dogs 32 on the wheels |2 as the carriage is moving forwardly. Thewheels I2 will then turn the shaft 22 and rotate the gears 68 lwhichmesh with the racks 10. Thus the conveyor section 12 will be advanced.Latch fingers |40 yield against the tension of the springs |50 duringrelative advancement of the conveyor section 12 and the fingers will beurged into holding engagement with the toothed rails |42 to support theconveyor section in its advanced position.

Protection is afforded for the shovel 14 by reaclear of the toothedrails |42.

section reciprocating with said carriage;

son of the cushioning springs |32` in the `housings IIB. Conveyorsection 12 may be shifted rearwardly of the carriage throughmanipulation of the lever |62 for lifting the latch ngers |40 Becauseofthe length `of the Ytoothed rails |42, the conveyor section l2 may beadvanced so as to enormously increase the reach of the shovel "lll withrespect to a given position of the carriage.

'Io the channel member 30 are Welded two blocks 2&0 which are bored toslidably receive bolts 202 secured to a bumper 204 located slightly inadvance of'` the channel. Compression springs 296 are interposed betweenthe bumper` 2M and the channel 30 to yieldingly hold the bumper in itsnormal position. The bumper is located relatively close to the groundsurface N8, see Fig. 5, to clear a path for the wheels I2.

Lateral shifting may be imparted to the carriage through manipulation ofthe leven |06 which controls the wheels I4. Thus the carriage may bepivoted about the axis |16 to secure an enormous range of adjustment forthe nose 14 to either side, as well as forwardly.

a normallyidle gear on said carriage; a conveyor` section mounted onsaid carriage and having a rack meshing with said gear, said oon- Veyorsection reciprocating with said carriage; a

l toothed member on said conveyor section; a latch means on saidcarriage acting on said toothed member to restrain the conveyor sectionfrom movement relatively to the carriage in one diciprocatory carriagehaving supporting wheels;

rection, but yielding when said conveyor section is moved to an extendedposition in the opposite direction relatively to said carriage; andclutch means for operatively connecting said gear with one of saidsupporting Wheels to rotate said gear with said one` wheel for advancingthe conveyor veyor section mounted on said carriage and having a rackmeshing with saidfgear, said conveyor a toothed member on said conveyorsection; a latch means `on said carriage acting on said toothed memberto restrain the conveyor section from movement relatively totheycarriage in` one direction, but yielding when said conveyor sectionis moved to an extended position in the opposite direction relatively tosaid carriage; clutch means for operatively connecting said gear withone of said supportingwheels to rotate said gear with said one wheel foradvancing the conveyor section to said extended position; and aresilient `cushion for said latch means yielding upon the application ofpredetermined `forces on said conveyor section in said one direction.

i 3. The inventiondescribed in claim 1 wherein there is provided asecond conveyor section secured to said carriage for connection with amain conveyor section; and steering wheels forsaid carriage.` i

.e pivotallysupported in said housings; resilient i 3 4; The inventiondescribed in claim 1 wherein said carriage is provided with steeringwheels; and means for operating said steering wheels.

5. The invention described in claim 1 wherein there is providedresilient means for holding said latch means in yieldable engagementwith said toothed member; and means for operating said resilient meansto move the latch means clear of `said toothed member. i Y

6. A loading head comprising: a reciprocatory veyor sectionreciprocating with said carriage;

toothed members on said conveyor section along its side margins; latchmeans on said carriage acting on said toothed members to restrain theconveyor section from movement relatively to the carriage in onedirection, but yielding when said conveyor section is moved to anextended position in the opposite direction relatively to saidcarriage;` and clutch means for operatively keying said axle to saidsupporting wheels to rotate said gears with the supporting wheels foradvancing the conveyor section to said extended position.

7. The invention described in claim 6 wherein said carriage is providedwith steerable supporting wheels; and means for controlling said steer-`able supporting wheels.

8. The invention described in claim 6 `wherein there is provided asecond conveyor section pivot'ally connected with said carriage andadapted for fixed connection with a main conveyor section; 'said iirstconveyor section overlying said secondconveyor section; and means forsteering said carriage for guiding the latter laterally of the mainconveyor section. i

9. The invention described in claim 6 wherein said latch means areprovided with resilient cushions yielding upo-n application ofpredetermined forces eiiective on the conveyor section in said onedirection.

10. The invention described in claim 6 Vwherein said latch means areprovided ywith resilient cushions yielding upon applicationI ofpredetermined forces effective on the conveyor section in said onedirection; and resilient means acting on said latch means to yieldinglyurge the latter into engagement with said toothed members.

11. The'invention `described in claim 6 wherein latter in engagementwith said toothed members. 12. The invention described in claim 1wherein there is provided a manually actuated lever means for operatingsaid clutch means. e

13. The invention described in claim 6 wherein said carriage is providedwith housings; rods iiX'- edly secured to said latch means and slidablyand means acting on the rods and said housings for cushioning saidconveyor section and yielding upon the` application of predeterminedforces effective on the conveyor section in said one direction; andcontrollable resilient `means acting on said latch means for holding thelatter in yieldable engagement with said toothed members.

GEORGE J. YURCHIsIN.

